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Abstract:

A precision leveling vice includes a vice body having a fixed jaw and an
end wall. A moving jaw moves toward or away from the fixed jaw to
frictionally retain or release a member. The vice assembly is connected
to a swivel plate. A fixture plate is positioned oppositely about the
swivel plate with respect to the vice assembly. A pivot pin is positioned
in a partial circular slot of each of the swivel plate and fixture plate
permitting the swivel plate and vice assembly to move in a rocking motion
with respect to the fixture plate by rotation about the pivot pin. First
and second adjustment fasteners positioned in through apertures at swivel
plate opposite ends threadably engage the fixture plate. Opposite axial
rotation of the first and second adjustment fasteners causes a head of
one of the adjustment fasteners to contact the swivel plate inducing the
rocking motion.

Claims:

1. A precision leveling vice, comprising: a vice assembly having a fixed
jaw, and a moving jaw moved toward the fixed jaw to frictionally retain a
member and away from the fixed jaw to release the member; a swivel plate
having the vice assembly connected to the swivel plate; a fixture plate
positioned oppositely about the swivel plate with respect to the vice
assembly; and a pivot pin positioned between the swivel plate and the
fixture plate permitting the swivel plate and vice assembly to together
move in a rocking motion with respect to the fixture plate by rotation
about the pivot pin.

2. The precision leveling vice of claim 1, further including first and
second adjustment fasteners, each freely received through one of first
and second elongated apertures created in the swivel plate and threadably
engaged with the fixture plate, wherein opposite axial rotation of the
first and second adjustment fasteners causes a head of one of the first
or second adjustment fasteners to contact the swivel plate inducing the
rocking motion.

3. The precision leveling vice of claim 2, wherein the first and second
elongated apertures are positioned proximate to opposite first and second
ends of the swivel plate and oppositely about the pivot pin.

4. The precision leveling vice of claim 2, further including a plurality
of first swivel plate jack fasteners individually threadably engaged with
the swivel plate proximate a first end of the swivel plate, and a
plurality of second swivel plate jack fasteners individually threadably
engaged with the swivel plate proximate a second end of the swivel plate,
the first and second swivel plate jack fasteners providing side-to-side
stability of the swivel plate with respect to the fixture plate.

5. The precision leveling vice of claim 2, wherein each of the first and
second swivel plate jack fasteners includes a fastener end face
contacting a fixture plate upper surface after the first and second
adjustment fasteners induce the rocking motion of the swivel plate to a
swivel plate desired rocked position.

6. The precision leveling vice of claim 1, wherein the rocking motion of
the swivel plate creates a UV-Y arc of rotation of the member, the
fixture plate being horizontally movable to create a first axis of
adjustment for the member, the member being rotatable between the moving
and fixed jaws to create a second axis of adjustment for the member, and
the UV-Y arc of rotation creating a third axis of adjustment for the
member.

7. The precision leveling vice of claim 1, wherein the vice assembly
includes a vice body having the fixed jaw spatially separated from a vice
body end wall, and a screw threadably received through the vice body end
wall and connected to the moving jaw, such that rotation of the screw
displaces the moving jaw toward or away from the fixed jaw.

8. The precision leveling vice of claim 1, wherein each of the swivel
plate and the fixture plate include a partial circular slot each aligned
parallel with a longitudinal axis of the pivot pin and each having a
curvature substantially matching a diameter of the pivot pin such that
the swivel plate is rotatable about the pivot pin with respect to the
fixture plate with no horizontal displacement of the pivot pin.

9. A precision leveling vice, comprising: a vice body having a fixed jaw
and an opposed vice body end wall; a moving jaw moved toward the fixed
jaw to frictionally retain a member and away from the fixed jaw to
release the member; a swivel plate having the vice assembly connected to
the swivel plate; a fixture plate positioned oppositely about the swivel
plate with respect to the vice assembly; a pivot pin positioned in a
partial circular slot created in each of the swivel plate and the fixture
plate permitting the swivel plate and vice assembly to together move in a
rocking motion with respect to the fixture plate by rotation about the
pivot pin; and first and second adjustment fasteners individually
positioned through apertures at opposite ends of the swivel plate and
threadably engaged with the fixture plate, opposite axial rotation of the
first and second adjustment fasteners causes a head of one of the first
or second adjustment fasteners to contact the swivel plate inducing the
rocking motion.

10. The precision leveling vice of claim 9, wherein the first and second
adjustment fasteners are each freely received through one of a first and
second elongated aperture individually created in the swivel plate such
that a shank of the first and second adjustment fasteners displaces in
the elongated aperture permitting the rocking motion.

11. The precision leveling vice of claim 10, further including first and
second swivel plate jack fasteners positioned proximate to each of the
first and second adjustment fasteners, each threadably connected to the
swivel plate and extending by axial rotation to contact the fixture plate
to stabilize the swivel plate with respect to the fixture plate following
completion of the rocking motion.

12. The precision leveling vice of claim 9, wherein a gap is created
between the swivel plate and the fixture plate when the pivot pin is
positioned in the partial circular slot of each of the swivel plate and
the fixture plate.

13. The precision leveling vice of claim 12, wherein a first gap spacing
between the swivel plate and the fixture plate at a first end of the
swivel plate can vary from a second gap spacing between the swivel plate
and the fixture plate at a second end of the swivel plate by the opposite
axial rotation of the first and second adjustment fasteners.

15. A precision leveling vice system, comprising: a vice body having a
fixed jaw and an opposed vice body end wall; a moving jaw moved toward
the fixed jaw to frictionally retain a member and away from the fixed jaw
to release the member; a swivel plate having the vice assembly connected
to the swivel plate; a fixture plate positioned oppositely about the
swivel plate with respect to the vice assembly and in direct contact with
a machining device table surface, the fixture plate horizontally movable
with respect to the table surface by loosening fasteners inserted through
elongated apertures of the fixture plate and threadably engaged with the
table surface; and a pivot pin positioned in a partial circular slot
created in each of the swivel plate and the fixture plate permitting the
swivel plate and vice assembly to together move in a rocking motion with
respect to the fixture plate by rotation about the pivot pin.

16. The precision leveling vice system of claim 15, further including
first and second adjustment fasteners individually positioned through
apertures at opposite ends of the swivel plate and threadably engaged
with the fixture plate, opposite axial rotation of the first and second
adjustment fasteners causes a head of one of the first or second
adjustment fasteners to contact the swivel plate inducing the rocking
motion.

17. The precision leveling vice system of claim 15, wherein the rocking
motion of the swivel plate creates a UV-Y arc of rotation of the member,
the fixture plate being horizontally movable with respect to the
machining device table surface to create a first axis of adjustment for
the member, the member being rotatable between the moving and fixed jaws
to create a second axis of adjustment for the member, and the UV-Y arc of
rotation creating a third axis of adjustment for the member.

18. The precision leveling vice system of claim 15, further including a
first swivel plate jack fastener threadably engaged with the swivel plate
proximate a first end of the swivel plate, and a second swivel plate jack
fastener threadably engaged with the swivel plate proximate a second end
of the swivel plate, the first and second swivel plate jack fasteners
contacting the fixture plate providing side-to-side stability of the
swivel plate with respect to the fixture plate.

19. The precision leveling vice system of claim 15, wherein each of the
swivel plate and the fixture plate include a partial circular slot each
aligned parallel with a longitudinal axis of the pivot pin and each
having a curvature substantially matching a diameter of the pivot pin
such that the swivel plate is rotatable about the pivot pin with respect
to the fixture plate without horizontal displacement of the pivot pin.

20. The precision leveling vice system of claim 15, wherein the fixture
plate includes at least two elongated apertures each receiving a fastener
threadably engaged to a table defining the machining device table surface
to fastenably connect the fixture plate to the table surface, the
fasteners movable within the elongated apertures to permit the fixture
plate to be moved horizontally.

Description:

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vices used in machining
operations to retain and adjust a position of a member during a machining
operation.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This section provides background information related to the present
disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] Vices used for clamping a part or member for operations such as
machining, lancing, cutting, plasma cutting, electrical discharge
machining (EDM) or the like operations conducted on the member by an
operating device commonly include a movable clamp portion and a fixed
clamp portion. The member is retained between the movable and fixed clamp
portions by frictional contact with the movable and fixed clamp portions,
and a compression force provided through the movable clamp portion. The
member is initially aligned and measured multiple times to ensure a
predetermined orientation with respect to the operating device.
Disadvantages of common vices include the member moving from its retained
position during the operation by forces exerted from the operating
device.

[0004] Common vices permit the member to be aligned in two axes with
respect to a bed or support and the operating device, a first axis
provided by rotation/displacement of the vice and a second axis provided
by use of the movable and fixed clamp portions. Adjustment of the vice to
correct for perpendicularity or parallelism requires movement of the vice
in a third axis. A common method of providing movement in the third axis
is to add one or more shims under all or a portion of the vice to adjust
a height or angle of the vice, therefore changing a height or angle of
the member with respect to the operating device. Use of shims are a
repetitive and time consuming operation, because multiple shims are often
placed or replaced until the desired orientation of the member is
achieved. Use of shims also commonly requires provision of multiple
independent shims to achieve the desired standoff dimension of the vice,
multiple shims of differing thicknesses to provide for minute adjustment
of the standoff dimension, and/or shims having different areas to provide
adequate support for the vice. Elimination of the use of shims and
alternate provision of movement in the third axis is therefore desirable.

SUMMARY

[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is
not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0006] According to several embodiments, a precision leveling vice
includes a vice assembly having a fixed jaw, and a moving jaw moved
toward the fixed jaw to frictionally retain a member and away from the
fixed jaw to release the member. A swivel plate having the vice assembly
connected to the swivel plate. A fixture plate positioned oppositely
about the swivel plate with respect to the vice assembly. A pivot pin
positioned between the swivel plate and the fixture plate permits the
swivel plate and vice assembly to together move in a rocking motion with
respect to the fixture plate by rotation about the pivot pin.

[0007] According to additional embodiments, a precision leveling vice
includes a vice body having a fixed jaw and an opposed vice body end
wall. A moving jaw is moved toward the fixed jaw to frictionally retain a
member and away from the fixed jaw to release the member. A swivel plate
has the vice assembly connected to the swivel plate. A fixture plate is
positioned oppositely about the swivel plate with respect to the vice
assembly. A pivot pin is positioned in a partial circular slot created in
each of the swivel plate and the fixture plate permitting the swivel
plate and vice assembly to together move in a rocking motion with respect
to the fixture plate by rotation about the pivot pin. First and second
adjustment fasteners are individually positioned through apertures at
opposite ends of the swivel plate and are threadably engaged with the
fixture plate. Opposite axial rotation of the first and second adjustment
fasteners causes a head of one of the first or second adjustment
fasteners to contact the swivel plate inducing the rocking motion.

[0008] According to further embodiments, a precision leveling vice system
includes a vice body having a fixed jaw and an opposed vice body end
wall. A moving jaw moves toward the fixed jaw to frictionally retain a
member and away from the fixed jaw to release the member. A swivel plate
has the vice assembly connected to the swivel plate. A fixture plate is
positioned oppositely about the swivel plate with respect to the vice
assembly and in direct contact with a machining device table surface. The
fixture plate is horizontally movable with respect to the table surface
by loosening fasteners inserted through elongated apertures of the
fixture plate and threadably engaged with the table surface. A pivot pin
is positioned in a partial circular slot created in each of the swivel
plate and the fixture plate permitting the swivel plate and vice assembly
to together move in a rocking motion with respect to the fixture plate by
rotation about the pivot pin.

[0009] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples in
this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of
selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0011]FIG. 1 is a front elevational perspective view of a precision
leveling vice system of the present disclosure;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a rear elevational perspective view of the precision
leveling vice system of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a rear elevational perspective view of area 3 of FIG. 2;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a vice assembly of the present
disclosure;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a side elevational perspective view of the vice assembly
of FIG. 4; and

[0017] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference
to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a precision leveling vice system 10 includes a
vice assembly 11 including a vice body 12. Vice assembly 11 is releasably
fixed or fastened to a table 14 of a machining device. Vice assembly 11
is used to releasably retain a member 16 and includes a moving jaw 18.
Vice body 12 includes a fixed jaw 20, with member 16 frictionally
retained between moving jaw 18 and fixed jaw 20 for a machining
operation. The moving jaw 18 is displaceable toward or away from fixed
jaw 20 by axial translation with respect to a longitudinal axis 22 of a
screw 24 connected to moving jaw 18, such that displacement of moving jaw
18 in a direction "A" frictionally engages member 16 between moving jaw
18 and fixed jaw 20. An opposite rotation of screw 24 displaces moving
jaw 18 away from fixed jaw 20 to release member 16.

[0020] Screw 24 is manually rotated through the use of a vice handle 26.
Screw 24 is threadably received in a vice body wall 28 of vice body 12,
oppositely positioned with respect to fixed jaw 20. Rotation of screw 24
displaces moving jaw 18 with respect to vice body wall 28. Vice body wall
28 and fixed jaw 20 each include a threaded aperture 29, 29' which
individually receive a threaded fastener (not shown) to releasably fix
vice body 12 to a swivel plate 30. A fixture plate 31 is positioned
oppositely about the swivel plate 30 with respect to the vice assembly
11. Swivel plate 30 is connected for example by releasably fastening to
fixture plate 31. Fixture plate 31 is directly received on a table upper
surface 32 of table 14 and releasably fastened using a plurality of
fasteners 34. A swivel plate lower surface 36 is spatially separated from
a fixture plate upper surface 38 and adjustably spaced using a plurality
of first swivel plate jack fasteners 40 and a plurality of second swivel
plate jack fasteners 42. Each of the first and second swivel plate jack
fasteners 40, 42 are threadably received in individual ones of a
plurality of threaded apertures 44 extending through swivel plate 30. A
fastener end face 46 of each of the first and second swivel plate jack
fasteners 40, 42 contacts the fixture plate upper surface 38 such that
contact by the fastener end faces 46 of the first and second swivel plate
jack fasteners 40, 42 stabilizes the orientation of swivel plate 30 with
respect to table fixture plate 31.

[0021] A spacing or gap between swivel plate 30 and fixture plate 31 is
also determined by a diameter of a pivot pin 48 which is received in each
of a first partial circular slot 50 created in swivel plate 30 and a
second partial circular slot 52 created in fixture plate 31. Each of the
swivel plate 30 and the fixture plate 31 include one of the partial
circular slots each aligned parallel with a longitudinal axis of the
pivot pin 48 and each having a curvature substantially matching a
diameter of the pivot pin 48 such that the swivel plate 30 is rotatable
about the pivot pin 48 with respect to the fixture plate 31 with no
horizontal displacement of the pivot pin 48. First and second partial
circular slots 50, 52 are therefore coaxially aligned with each other.
Pivot pin 48 is frictionally retained within both first and second
partial circular slots 50, 52 to permit a rocking motion of opposed ends
51 a, 51 b of swivel plate 30 with respect to fixture plate 31 thereby
providing an additional axis of movement for member 16. Pivot pin 48
positioned within first and second partial circular slots 50, 52
therefore provides a rocking means to rotate or rock the swivel plate
with vice assembly 11 connected thereto with respect to fixture plate 31.
To ensure vice system 10 can be used in an EDM machining system which
requires the retention components to provide an electrically conductive
path, a material of individual ones of the vice body 12, swivel plate 30,
fixture plate 31 and pivot pin 48 can each be electrically conductive.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2 and again to FIG. 1, the position of fixture
plate 31 is adjustable on table 14 by sliding displacement of fixture
plate 31. To permit sliding displacement, fasteners 34 are loosened and
therefore moveable in elongated slots 53 created in fixture plate 31.
Once the desired position of fixture plate 31 is established, fasteners
34 are tightened. Vice assembly 11 further includes first and second
rocking adjustment fasteners 54, 54' (only first adjustment fastener 54
is visible in this view) positioned between each of the first swivel
plate jack fasteners 40, 40' and also between each of the second swivel
plate jack fasteners 42, 42' (only second swivel plate jack fastener 42'
is visible in this view). Fasteners 54, 54' freely extend through
elongated apertures created in swivel plate 30 and are threadably engaged
in threaded apertures of fixture plate 31. Opposite axial rotation of
fasteners 54, 54' moves the opposed ends 51a, 51b of swivel plate 30 in
opposite individual rocking directions with respect to pivot pin 48 shown
and described in reference to FIG. 1.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 3 and again to FIGS. 1 and 2, each shank of first
and second fasteners 54, 54' is individually slidably received in an
elongated aperture 55 created at opposite ends of swivel plate 30.
Elongated apertures 55 permit the rocking motion of swivel plate 30 with
respect to fixture plate 31 during adjustment of swivel plate 30. Contact
between the heads of fasteners 54, 54' and a swivel plate upper surface
56 prevents further rotation of swivel plate 30 about pivot pin 48 with
respect to fixture plate 31. Once contact between the heads of fasteners
54, 54' with swivel plate upper surface 56 is established, the fastener
end face 46 of each of the first swivel plate jack fasteners 40, 40'
(shown) and second swivel plate jack fasteners 42, 42' (not visible in
this view) are rotated into contact with fixture plate 31, having a
threaded shank 58 of each of the swivel plate jack fasteners 40, 40', 42,
42' threadably received in individual ones of the threaded apertures 44
created in swivel plate 30.

[0024] Fasteners 54, 54' induce the rocking motion and further provide
end-to-end stability of swivel plate 30, while first and second swivel
plate jack fasteners 40, 40', 42, 42' provide side-to-side stability of
swivel plate 30 after the rocked position of swivel plate 30 is set by
contact of the fastener heads of fasteners 54, 54' with swivel plate 30.
First and second swivel plate jack fasteners 40, 40', 42, 42' therefore
provide a swivel plate stabilizing means. Fasteners 54, 54' therefore
provide a rocking adjustment means to control an amount of rock or angle
of rotation of swivel plate 30 with respect to fixture plate 31. Swivel
plate 30 is nominally oriented parallel to fixture plate 31 and can be
rotated or rocked with respect to the longitudinal axis of pivot pin 48
anywhere from the parallel position to a maximum rocked position wherein
one of the opposed ends 51a or 51b of swivel plate 30 contacts the
fixture plate upper surface 38 of fixture plate 31. A greater or lesser
angle of rocking defining the maximum rocked position can also be
provided by increasing or decreasing the diameter of pivot pin 48.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 4 and again to FIG. 2, vice assembly 11 is
rotatable with respect to an XY rotational arc 60 using the previously
described fasteners 34 movable in the elongated slots 53 of fixture plate
31. The member 16 is therefore adjustable with respect to XY rotational
arc 60 by horizontal displacement of fixture plate 31 providing a first
axis of movement for member 16 to adjust its position prior to machining.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 5, the member 16 received between moving jaw 18
and fixed jaw 20 is further rotatable in a UV-X rotational arc 60 by
loosening and subsequent tightening of moving jaw 18 with respect to
member 16. UV-X arc of rotation 62 therefore provides a second axis of
movement for member 16 to adjust its position prior to machining.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, the positioning of pivot pin 48 within each of
the partial circular slots 50, 52 permits swivel plate 30 to rotate with
respect to a pivot pin longitudinal axis 66 providing a UV-Y arc of
rotation 64 for swivel plate 30 and vice assembly 11 with respect to
fixture plate 31. A gap 68 between swivel plate 30 and fixture plate 31
will vary from end-to-end of swivel plate 30 with respect to fixture
plate 31 by rotation of the vice assembly 11. Gap 68 is determined by a
diameter 70 of pivot pin 48 and the depth of each of the partial circular
slots 50, 52. A gap spacing "B" at a first location between swivel plate
30 and fixture plate 31 can therefore be varied with respect to a gap
spacing "C" at a second end of swivel plate 30 with respect to fixture
plate 31 by rotation with respect to pivot pin 48. Co-rotation of swivel
plate 30 and vice assembly 11 with respect to UV-Y arc of rotation 64
therefore provides a third axis of movement for positioning member 16
prior to machining.

[0028] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the
art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific
components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that
example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that
neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some
example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures,
and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0029] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended
to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and
"having," are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but
do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to
be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular
order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an
order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or
alternative steps may be employed.

[0030] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged
to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be
directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer,
or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an
element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to,"
"directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or
layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other
words used to describe the relationship between elements should be
interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term
"and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items.

[0031] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to
describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,
these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be
limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one
element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer
or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms
when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly
indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer
or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the
example embodiments.

[0032] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath,"
"below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for
ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to
another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially
relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the
device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the
figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features
would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the
example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and
below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at
other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein
interpreted accordingly.

[0033] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for
purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of
a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular
embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in
a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The
same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications
are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.